The Emirate of Al Ain

On Friday, the start of our weekend, we woke up, had some Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Caribou coffee, and headed to the emirate known as "The Oasis City." It is surrounded by seven oases fed by natural springs. This is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlements with archaeological remains older than the pyramids of Cheops. It is a city where the past is being preserved while still being unearthed. Al Ain is a popular getaway for Gulf nationals. It is hotter in Al Ain than Dubai but always less humid. There are over 147,000 date palms in Al Ain and some areas hardly feel like a desert.

Once in Al Ain, about 90 minutes away, we headed to the Al Ain Zoo. RuthAnne and Tom were excited to see their second emirate. The drive goes from the booming city of Dubai to the barren desert of small rolling brown desert sand that turns orangish-red as you enter the emirate. We spotted camels along the trip and places where they hold camel racing as well. We even saw a camel in the back of an open truck being transported to a new home. It was a great day trip!!